Sensor applicator assembly for continuous glucose monitoring system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a sensor applicator assembly for a continuous glucose monitoring system and provides a sensor applicator assembly for a continuous glucose monitoring system, which is manufactured with a sensor module assembled inside an applicator, thereby minimizing additional work by a user for attaching the sensor module to the body and allowing the sensor module to be attached to the body simply by operating the applicator, and thus can be used more conveniently. A battery is built in the sensor module and a separate transmitter is connected to the sensor module so as to receive power supply from the sensor module and be continuously used semi-permanently, thereby making the assembly economical. The sensor module and the applicator are used as disposables, thereby allowing accurate and safe use and convenient maintenance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the U.S. national phase of PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/KR2018/006313, filed on Jun. 1, 2018, which claims priority toKorean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0068964, filed on Jun. 2, 2017,and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0063368, filed on Jun. 1,2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sensor applicator assembly for acontinuous glucose monitoring system. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a sensor applicator assembly for a continuousglucose monitoring system, in which the sensor applicator assembly isfabricated, with a sensor module being preinstalled in an applicator, sothat a user can attach the sensor module to the skin by simply operatingthe applicator. Additional tasks of the user for attaching the sensormodule to the skin can be minimized, thereby allowing the sensorapplicator assembly to be more conveniently used. In addition, a batteryis provided as a built-in component of the sensor module and a separatetransmitter is connected to the sensor module to receive power from thesensor module, so that the transmitter can be used semi-permanently,which is economical. In addition, the sensor module and the applicatorare provided to be disposable so as to be used accurately and safely,thereby allowing safe use and convenient maintenance.

BACKGROUND ART

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition that iscommon in modern people. In the Republic of Korea, it affects 2 millionpeople, about 5% of the total population.

Diabetes is caused from the absolute deficiency or relativeinsufficiency of insulin produced by the pancreas, due to various causessuch as obesity, stress, poor eating habits, inherited hereditaryfactors, in which glucose balance in the blood may be disturbed, therebyresulting in a high blood sugar level.

The blood usually contains a certain concentration of glucose, andtissue cells gain energy from the glucose.

However, when the content of glucose is increased excessively, it is notproperly stored in the liver, muscle, or adipose tissue and accumulatesin the blood. As a result, patients with diabetes maintain a much higherblood glucose level than other people. Excessive blood glucose passesthrough the tissues and is discharged into the urine, resulting indeficiency of glucose, which is absolutely necessary for all tissues ofthe body, thereby causing abnormalities in respective body tissues.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by substantial absence of subjectivesymptoms at the beginning of the condition. When diabetes mellitusprogresses, diabetes-specific symptoms such as diarrhea, polyuria,weight loss, general anxiety, skin itchiness, and scarring of the handsand feet are present. Further progression of diabetes leads tocomplications such as visual disturbances, hypertension, kidney disease,paralysis, periodontal disease, muscle spasms and neuralgia, as well asgangrene.

Systematic blood glucose measurement and treatment should be performedto diagnose diabetes beforehand and manage the condition to prevent theprogression of diabetes into complications associated therewith.

For people with diabetes or people having higher than normal bloodglucose, even though diabetes has not yet developed, medical devicemanufacturers offer a variety of blood glucose meters to measure bloodglucose levels at home.

Glucose monitoring systems are categorized on the basis of a method ofmeasuring a blood glucose level once by a user collecting blood from afingertip and a method of continuously measuring blood glucose levels byattaching a glucose monitoring system to the belly or an arm of a user.

Diabetics generally traverse between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Anemergency may occur in hypoglycemic conditions, in which diabetics maybecome unconscious or die if a hypoglycemic condition lasts for anextended period of time without the supply of sugar. Accordingly, rapiddiscovery of a hypoglycemic condition is critically important fordiabetics. However, invasive glucose monitoring systems intermittentlymeasuring glucose by collecting blood have limited ability to accuratelymeasure blood glucose levels.

Recently, to overcome such a drawback, continuous glucose monitoringsystems (CGMSs) have been developed. Such a CGMS is inserted into thebody to measure a blood glucose level every few minutes. In this manner,the treatment of diabetics and measures in response to an emergency canbe easily undertaken.

In addition, in an invasive glucose monitoring system, a diabeticperforms glucose measurement by collecting blood by pricking apain-sensitive fingertip with a needle. Therefore, a blood collectingprocess may cause pain and aversion to measurement. To minimize suchpain and aversion to measurement, research and development of CGMSs havebeen undertaken. In such a CGMS, glucose is continuously measured byinserting a needle-shaped sensor into a portion of the human body, suchas the belly or an arm, which is less pain sensitive. Furthermore,research and development of non-invasive glucose monitoring systems formeasuring glucose without collecting blood have been activelyundertaken.

Regarding non-invasive glucose monitoring systems, a variety of methodsof measuring glucose without collecting blood have been studied over thepast 40 years. Such methods may include electrical methods, exhalationmeasurement methods, and the like. Cygnus (Redwoo City, Calif., USA) hasdeveloped and launched the Glucowatch® G2 Biographer, a watch-shapedglucose monitoring device, using reverse iontophoresis. However, thedistribution of this device was stopped in 2007, because of problems,such as skin irritation, measurement approval, and a devicemalfunctioning caused by excessive sweating. Although a variety ofnon-invasive glucose monitoring techniques have been introduced andreported to date, there have been no practical uses due to low levels ofaccuracy thereof.

A continuous glucose monitoring system includes: a sensor moduleattached to the skin of a human body to measure a blood glucose level byextracting body fluid, a transmitter transmitting the blood glucoselevel measured by the sensor module to a terminal, the terminaloutputting the received blood glucose level, and the like. The sensormodule includes, for example, a needle-shaped sensor probe for insertioninto subcutaneous fat to extract interstitial fluid. A separateapplicator for attaching the sensor module to the body is used.

Such continuous glucose monitoring systems are fabricated to have a widevariety of shapes depending on the manufacturer thereof, and are used ina variety of methods. However, in majority continuous glucose monitoringsystems fabricated and distributed, a disposable sensor module isattached to the body using an applicator. A user should perform amultistage process to operate an applicator to attach a disposablesensor module to the body. After the sensor module is attached to theskin, the user should perform a variety of follow-up procedures by himor herself, such as a procedure of withdrawing a needle.

For example, a variety of procedures that the user should perform mayinclude: unpacking the disposable sensor module, accurately insertingthe disposable sensor module into the applicator, operating andinserting the applicator into the skin, with the sensor module beinginserted into the applicator, withdrawing the needle of the sensormodule from the skin using a separate device by him or herself after theinsertion of the sensor module into the skin, and the like.

Accordingly, the process for measuring glucose using a continuousglucose monitoring system is significantly difficult and inconvenient,which are problematic. In addition, a transmitter used to transmitinformation regarding the sensor module is disposable together with thesensor module, although the transmitter is relatively expensive.Accordingly, there is another problem in that this solution issignificantly inefficient in economic and environmental aspects.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made in consideration ofthe above-described problems occurring in the related art, and thepresent disclosure proposes a sensor applicator assembly for acontinuous glucose monitoring system, in which the sensor applicatorassembly is fabricated, with a sensor module being preinstalled in anapplicator, so that a user can attach the sensor module to the skin bysimply operating the applicator. Additional tasks of the user forattaching the sensor module to the skin can be minimized, therebyallowing the sensor applicator assembly to be more conveniently used.

Also proposed is a sensor applicator assembly for a continuous glucosemonitoring system, in which a battery is provided as a built-incomponent of the sensor module and a separate transmitter is connectedto the sensor module to receive power from the sensor module, so thatthe transmitter can be used semi-permanently, which is economical. Inaddition, the sensor module and the applicator are provided to bedisposable so as to be used accurately and safely, thereby allowing safeuse and convenient maintenance.

Technical Solution

The present disclosure provides a sensor applicator assembly for acontinuous glucose monitoring system, the sensor applicator assemblybeing assembled as a single unitary product in which a sensor moduleperiodically measuring a blood glucose level is preinstalled in anapplicator, such that the sensor module is ejected by an operation ofthe applicator to be attached to a human body. A separate protective capmay be detachably coupled to the applicator to block the sensor module,preinstalled in the applicator, from being exposed externally, andadhesive tape and a release paper may be attached to a body contactsurface of the sensor module to enable the sensor module to be attachedto the human body, the release paper of the adhesive tape being detachedand removed from the adhesive tape together with the protective capwhile the protective cap is being detached from the applicator.

Here, the protective cap may include: an outer cover coupled to one endportion of the applicator while surrounding an outer circumferentialsurface of the applicator; an extension extending from one end of theouter cover in a direction of an inner center of the applicator; and aninner support extending upward from one end of the extension to supportthe body contact surface of the sensor module inserted into theapplicator.

In addition, the adhesive tape and the release paper may be disposedbetween the body contact surface of the sensor module, and the releasepaper is attached to a top surface of the inner support of theprotective cap coupled to the applicator, such that the release paper isdetached and removed from the adhesive tape together with the protectivecap while the protective cap is being detached from the applicator.

In addition, a separate adhesive member may be bonded to an exposedsurface of the release paper, such that the release paper is attached tothe top surface of the inner support of the protective cap.

In addition, two parallel cutting lines having the same width and sizeas those of the adhesive member may be provided in portions of therelease paper.

In addition, the protective cap may be provided with a locking member toprevent the protective cap, coupled to the applicator, from beingdetached from the applicator. The locking member may be configured to belocked or unlocked by a user's manipulation.

In addition, the applicator may be provided with a locking catch recess.The locking member may include: a locking lever pivotably coupled to oneside of the protective cap; and a locking catch protrusion provided onone end of the locking lever to be inserted into and engaged with thelocking catch recess. The locking lever may be elastically supported ina direction in which the locking catch protrusion is inserted into andengaged with the locking catch recess.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present disclosure, the sensor applicator assembly isfabricated, with the sensor module being preinstalled in the applicator,so that a user can attach the sensor module to the skin by simplyoperating the applicator. Additional tasks of the user for attaching thesensor module to the skin can be minimized, thereby allowing the sensorapplicator assembly to be more conveniently used.

In addition, a battery is provided as a built-in component of the sensormodule and the separate transmitter is connected to the sensor module toreceive power from the sensor module, so that the transmitter can beused semi-permanently, which is economical. In addition, the sensormodule and the applicator are provided to be disposable so as to be usedaccurately and safely, thereby allowing safe use and convenientmaintenance.

In addition, at the moment that the sensor module is attached to thehuman body by the operation of the applicator, the needle isautomatically removed. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly remove theneedle without pain without causing the human body to be injured duringthe removal of the needle, thereby further improving the convenience ofuse.

In addition, a release paper is removed from the sensor module while aprotective cap is being detached, so that the sensor module can beattached to the human body with no other additional tasks, except forthe operation of detaching the protective cap.

In addition, since the applicator cannot be reused after having beenoperated, it is possible to prevent a user from using the applicatorimproperly, thereby enabling the applicator to be used more safely.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an assembledconfiguration of a sensor applicator assembly for a continuous glucosemonitoring system according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configurationof a sensor module according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of attaching atransmitter to the sensor module according to embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating thesensor applicator assembly for a continuous glucose monitoring systemaccording to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configurationof the protective cap according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views illustrating a process of removing theprotective cap according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views illustrating a process of removing the releasepaper together with the protective cap according to embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating aspecific configuration of the sensor module according to embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating aconfiguration of the sensor of the sensor module according toembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internalconfiguration of the sensor module according to embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a coupling-guiding state of the sensorand the needle of the sensor module

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views schematically illustratingconfigurations of the press button and the safety locking deviceaccording to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are views illustrating a coupling structure of thesafety locking device and the protective cap according to embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a configuration of the sensor fixinghooks of the plunger body according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are views illustrating a separation structure of theapplicator and the sensor module according to embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are views illustrating a reuse prevention structure ofthe applicator according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configurationof the anti-return hooks of the applicator according to embodiments ofthe disclosure; and

FIGS. 21 to 24 are views sequentially illustrating the use of the sensorapplicator assembly for a continuous glucose monitoring system accordingto embodiments of the disclosure, in a stepwise manner.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout thisdocument, reference should be made to the drawings, in which the samereference numerals and symbols will be used to designate the same orlike components. In the following description of the present disclosure,detailed descriptions of known functions and components incorporatedherein will be omitted in the case that the subject matter of thepresent disclosure may be rendered unclear thereby.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an assembledconfiguration of a sensor applicator assembly for a continuous glucosemonitoring system according to embodiments of the disclosure, FIG. 2 isa perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of asensor module according to embodiments of the disclosure, FIG. 3 is aperspective view illustrating an operation of attaching a transmitter tothe sensor module according to embodiments of the disclosure, FIG. 4 isan exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the sensorapplicator assembly for a continuous glucose monitoring system accordingto embodiments of the disclosure, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view takenalong line A-A in FIG. 1 , and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view takenalong line B-B in FIG. 1 .

The sensor applicator assembly 1 for a continuous glucose monitoringsystem according to embodiments of the disclosure is an assemblyfabricated as a single unitary product by fitting a sensor module 20 andan applicator 10 together. The sensor applicator assembly 1 has astructure to be use thereof to be very simple, thereby minimizingadditional tasks of a user to use the continuous glucose monitoringsystem.

The sensor module 20 is configured to be attachable to a portion of thehuman body to extract body fluid and periodically measure a bloodglucose level, and allows a separate transmitter 30 to be connectedthereto to transmit a glucose measurement result to an external device,such as a mobile device (not shown).

The applicator 10 is configured such that the sensor module 20 isfixedly coupled to an inner portion thereof, and operates to eject thesensor module 20 in response to a user's manipulation.

Here, fabrication and assembly processes are performed, with the sensormodule 20 being preinstalled in the applicator 10. When the applicator10 is operated by the user's manipulation, the sensor module 20 is movedin an ejecting direction to be attached to the portion of the humanbody.

That is, the sensor applicator assembly 1 according to embodiments ofthe disclosure is assembled and fabricated in a fabrication process,with the sensor module 20 being preinstalled in the applicator, suchthat the sensor module 20 is attachable to the skin only by theoperation of the applicator 10. The sensor applicator assembly 1 isprovided to a user in this state. Accordingly, the user can attach thesensor module 20 to the skin by simply operating the applicator 10without an additional operation for attaching the sensor module 20 tothe skin. After the sensor module 20 is attached to the skin, theseparate transmitter 30 is connected to the sensor module 20, so that aglucose measurement result can be periodically output from a terminal ofthe continuous glucose monitoring system.

When the lifetime of the sensor module 20 has ended after having beenused for about one (1) week while attached to the human body, a newsensor module 20 must be attached to the human body. Here, the sensormodule 20 and the applicator 10 are fabricated and used to bedisposable, while the transmitter 30 is continuously used as a separateproduct. That is, since the sensor module 20 is distributed as beingpreinstalled in the applicator 10 and attachable to the human body, anadditional operation of, for example, inserting the sensor module 20into the applicator 10 by the user is unnecessary. The user attaches thesensor module 20 to the body by simply operating the applicator 10.After the sensor module 20 and the applicator 10 have been used in thismanner, the sensor module 20 and the applicator 10 cannot be reused. Anew sensor module 20 is attached to the body using a new sensorapplicator assembly 1. Here, the transmitter 30 may be configured to bereusable as a separate product instead of being disposable.

In a typical continuous glucose monitoring system of the related art, asensor module separately packed is unpacked and then is accuratelyinserted into an applicator. After the insertion, the applicator isoperated to attach the sensor module to the skin. The operation ofaccurately insert the sensor module into the applicator is bothering anddifficult. Children or older persons may contaminate the sensor moduleduring this operation, thereby lowering the accuracy of measurement,which is problematic.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, the sensor module 20 ispreinstalled in the applicator 10 in the fabrication process, so thatthe applicator 10 is distributed with the sensor module 20 preinstalledtherein. The user's operations of, for example, unpacking the sensormodule 20 and inserting the sensor module 20 into the applicator 10 maybe omitted. It is possible to attach the sensor module 20 to the skin bysimply manipulating the applicator 10. Accordingly, the usability of thesensor module 20 can be significantly improved, and in particular, thecontamination of the sensor module 20 or the like can be prevented,thereby improving the accuracy of glucose measurement.

Since the sensor module 20 is preinstalled in the applicator 10 in thefabrication process as described above, the sensor module 20 and theapplicator 10 may be provided to be disposable so as not to be reusable.To provide such a disposable structure, the applicator 10 according toembodiments of the disclosure is configured such that the sensor module20 cannot be reinserted into the applicator 10 after the applicator 10is operated once to eject the sensor module 20 therefrom.

That is, the applicator 10 is configured to have one open side, throughwhich the sensor module 20 is ejected to the outside. The applicator 10may be configured such that, once the applicator 10 has ejected thesensor module 20 by an initial single operation, another sensor module20 is prevented from being inserted into the applicator 10, so that theuser cannot insert the sensor module 20 into the applicator 10.

In addition, a separate protective cap 200 may be detachably coupled tothe applicator 10 to prevent the sensor module 20, preinstalled in theapplicator 10, from being exposed externally. The protective cap 200 maybe configured such that the user cannot attach the sensor module 20 tothe human body by operating the applicator 10 unless the protective cap200 is detached.

Here, adhesive tape 560 is attached to a body contact surface of thesensor module 20, such that sensor module 20 can be attached to thehuman body. A release paper 561 is attached to the body contact surfaceof the adhesive tape 560 to protect the adhesive tape 560. The releasepaper 561 of the adhesive tape 560 may be detached and removed from theadhesive tape 560 while the protective cap 200 is being detached fromthe applicator 10.

For example, the release paper 561 may be configured such that oneportion thereof is bonded to the protective cap 200. Thus, when the userdetaches the protective cap 200 from the applicator 10, the releasepaper 561 can be detached and removed from the adhesive tape 560 alongwith the protective cap 200. Accordingly, when the user detaches theprotective cap 200, the release paper 561 is removed from the adhesivetape 560. In this state, it is possible to attach the sensor module 20to the human body by operating the applicator 10.

In addition, the applicator 10 may be configured such that, in a statein which the sensor module 20 is preinstalled in the applicator 10, thesensor module 20 is fixedly coupled to the applicator 10, and in a statein which the sensor module 20 is ejected (i.e. is moved outwardly byejection), the sensor module 20 is decoupled from the applicator 10.Thus, in a state in which the sensor module 20 is inserted into andcoupled to the applicator 10, the sensor module 20 remains in a fixedposition. In a state in which the sensor module 20 is ejected to beattached to the skin by operating the applicator 10, the sensor module20 is decoupled from the applicator 10. In this situation, when theapplicator 10 is detached from the skin, the applicator 10 and thesensor module 20 are detached from each other, while the sensor module20 remains attached to the skin.

Next, respective specific configurations will be described in moredetail.

First, the protective cap 200 is detachably coupled to the open side ofthe applicator 10 to prevent the sensor module 20, preinstalled in theapplicator 10, from being exposed externally. The protective cap 200 isprovided with locking members 210 to prevent the protective cap 200,coupled to the applicator 10, from being detached from the applicator10, as illustrated in FIG. 7 . The locking members 210 are configured tobe locked or unlocked by the user's manipulation.

Each of the locking members 210 includes a locking lever 211 pivotablycoupled to one side of the protective cap 200 and a locking catchprotrusion 213 provided on one end of the locking lever 211. The lockinglever 211 may have an elastic hinge shaft 212 provided on anintermediate portion thereof, such that both end portions of the lockinglever 211 elastically pivot about the elastic hinge shaft 212. Inaddition, locking catch recesses 1011 corresponding to the shape of thelocking members 210 may be formed in outer circumferential portions ofthe applicator 10, such that the locking catch protrusion 213 may befitted into and engaged with the locking catch recesses 1011.

Here, the locking lever 211 may be configured to be elasticallysupported by the elastic hinge shaft 212 in a direction in which thelocking catch protrusion 213 is fitted into and engaged with the lockingcatch recesses 1011.

According to this configuration, the protective cap 200 remains coupledto the applicator 10 unless the user presses the bottom end portion ofthe locking lever 211, as illustrated in FIG. 8 a . In a state in whichthe locking catch protrusion 213 is disengaged from the locking catchrecesses 1011 by pressing the locking lever 211, the protective cap 200can be detached and removed from the applicator 10, as illustrated inFIG. 8 b.

The protective cap 200 includes an outer cover 201, an extension 202,and an inner support 203. The outer cover 201 is coupled to one endportion of the applicator 10, and surrounds, while being in contactwith, an outer circumferential surface of the applicator 10. Theextension 202 extends from one end of the outer cover 201 in thedirection of the inner center of the applicator 10. The inner support203 extends upward from the extension 202 to support the body contactsurface of the sensor module 20 preinstalled in the applicator 10. Here,a sensor protector 204 may protrude downward from a local portion thecentral portion of the inner support 203 to surround a sensor probe 521and a needle 550 protruding downward from the body contact surface ofthe sensor module 20.

Accordingly, the protective cap 200 not only blocks the sensor module20, preinstalled in the applicator 10, from being exposed externally,but also supports the sensor module 20. The protective cap 200 generallyimproves the structural stability of the sensor applicator assembly.

In addition, as described above, the adhesive tape 560 and the releasepaper 561 are attached to the body contact surface of the sensor module20. In the process of detaching the protective cap 200 from theapplicator 10, the release paper 561 of the adhesive tape 560 isdetached and removed from the adhesive tape 560 along with theprotective cap 200.

Here, the release paper 561 may be attached to the top surface of theinner support 203 of the protective cap 200, and may be attached to theinner support 203 of the protective cap 200 via a separate adhesivemember 562. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 9 a , a separate adhesivemember 562 is bonded to a bottom surface portion of the release paper561. The adhesive member 562 is located between the top surface of theinner support 203 of the protective cap 200 and the release paper 561,such that the bottom surface of the adhesive member 562 is bonded to thetop surface of the inner support 203. The bonding force of the adhesivemember 562 is set to be greater than the bonding force between therelease paper 561 and the adhesive tape 560. Thus, when the protectivecap 200 is detached from the applicator 10, the release paper 561 bondedto the inner support 203 of the protective cap 200 via the adhesivemember 562 is detached from the inner support 203 along with theprotective cap 200. In this manner, the release paper 561 is detachedand removed from the adhesive tape 560.

Here, two parallel cutting lines (not shown) having the same width andsize as those of the adhesive member 562 may be formed in portions ofthe release paper 561. Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 9 b , first,in the process of detaching the protective cap 200, the release paper561 is detached from the adhesive tape 560 along the cutting lines alongwith the adhesive member 562. Afterwards, in response to continueddetaching of the protective cap 200, i.e. continued downward movement ofthe protective cap 200 respect to the direction illustrated in FIG. 9 b, the release paper 561 in portions other than the cutting line ispulled, thereby being detached and removed from the adhesive tape 560.Due to this release paper detaching process, the operation of detachingand removing the release paper 561 can be more easily and reliablyperformed.

In addition, the above-described locking levers 211 of the protectivecap 200 may be provided on the central portions of the outer cover 201.For example, the locking lever 211 may be provided such that the lockinglever 211 is formed by cutting a portion of the outer cover 201 and theelastic hinge shaft 212 is formed on a portion cutting lines to beconnected to the outer cover 201.

The sensor module 20 includes a pod 510, a sensor 520, a printed circuitboard (PCB) 530, and a battery 540.

The adhesive tape 560 is attached to the bottom end surface of the pod510, such that the sensor module 20 can be ejected by the applicator 10so as to be attached to the human body. The pod 510 has a connectorterminal 513 to which the transmitter 30 can be connected. The pod 510may include a flat plate-shaped pod base 511 and a case-shaped pod body512. The adhesive tape 560 is attached to the bottom end surface of thepod base 511. The pod body 512 is provided on a portion of the topsurface of the pod base 511 to surround a portion of a space above thepod base 511. The pod body 512 is located on a top surface portion ofthe pod base 511. The sensor 520, the PCB 530, the battery 540, and thelike, are disposed in the internal space of the pod body 512. The pod510 is attached to the human body by the operation of the applicator 10.The pod base 511 is attached to the human body via the adhesive tape560. Afterwards, the separate transmitter 30 is seated on and coupled tothe top surface of the pod base 511 so as to be connected to theconnector terminal 513 of the pod body 512.

The sensor 520 is disposed within the internal space of the pod 510 suchthat one end portion of the sensor 520 protrudes downward from the pod510. As the pod 510 is ejected, the one end of the sensor 520 isinserted into the body to extract blood and measure a blood glucoselevel. The sensor 520 includes a sensor probe 521 having one end portionprotruding downward from the bottom end surface of the pod base 511, thesensor probe 521 being able to be inserted into the body to extractblood.

The PCB 530 is disposed within the internal space of the pod 510, and iselectrically connected to the other end portion of the sensor probe 521.One end portion of the sensor probe 521 is inserted into the skin toreact with glucose in the body fluid. Here, current change informationof the sensor probe 521 occurring depending on the glucose concentrationof blood is electrically transferred to the PCB 530. The PCB 530 has aterminal connector point 532 to be connected to the connector terminal513 provided on the pod 510.

The battery 540 is disposed on the PCB 530 within the internal space ofthe pod 510 to supply power to the sensor 520 or the like. The PCB 530includes a battery bracket 531 on which the battery 540 can be mountedand supported. Power supplied by the battery 540 is supplied to theconnector terminal 513 via the PCB 530. In a state in which thetransmitter 30 is connected to the connector terminal 513 of the pod510, the power is supplied to the transmitter 30 via the connectorterminal 513. That is, the transmitter 30 operates by receiving powerfrom the battery 540 disposed inside of the sensor module 20. Inaddition, the current change information obtained using the sensor 520is also transferred to the transmitter 30 via the PCB 530 and theconnector terminal 513, and then, is transmitted to a user terminal viathe transmitter 30. In addition, since the transmitter 30 operates byreceiving power from the battery 540 of the sensor module 20, noseparate battery is required to be disposed inside of the transmitter30. Accordingly, the replacement of the transmitter 30 due to the powerexhaustion of the battery is not required, and the transmitter 30 can beused semi-permanently.

At the moment that the pod 510 is attached to the human body afterhaving been moved in the ejecting direction in response to the operationof the applicator 10, one end portion of the sensor 520 is inserted intothe body. The sensor 520 generates a different current value dependingon the glucose concentration in blood through reaction with the bodyfluid. Such current change information is transferred to the PCB 530, isapplied to the transmitter 30 via the PCB 530 and the connector terminal513, and is transmitted to the user terminal via the transmitter 30.

In addition, the sensor module 20 may further include the separateneedle 550 to facilitate the insertion of the sensor probe 521 into thebody. The needle 550 is detachably coupled to the pod 510. The needle550 is configured to be inserted into the body together with the sensorprobe 521 while surrounding one end portion of the sensor probe 521 inresponse to the pod 510 being ejected, so that one end portion of thesensor probe 521 is reliably inserted into the body.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the needle 550 is detachably disposed in thepod 510 while extending through the pod 510 in the top-bottom direction.The needle 550 has the shape of a hollow pipe surrounding the sensorprobe 521, and a needle head 551 is provided on the top end portion ofthe needle 550. When the pod 510 is moved in the ejecting direction bythe applicator 10, the needle 550 is inserted into the body prior to thesensor probe 521 to assist in reliable insertion of the sensor probe 521into the skin. The needle head 551 has a coupling recess 552 that can becoupled to the applicator 10 when withdrawing the needle 550 from theskin.

At the moment that the ejection movement of the pod 510 is completed,the applicator 10 is operable to withdraw and remove the needle 550 fromthe body. Accordingly, in a state in which the pod 510 is attached tothe human body, the sensor probe 521 remains inserted into the body, butas illustrated in FIG. 2(b), the needle 550 is withdrawn and removed. Inthis state, the transmitter 30 is coupled to the pod 510 to be connectedto the connector terminal 513, as illustrated in FIGS. 3(a) and (b).

Describing the configuration of the sensor 520 in more detail, thesensor 520 includes the sensor probe 521, a sensor housing 522, a rubberblock 523, and an elastic contact 524. The sensor probe 521 isconfigured to be inserted into the body to extract blood, with one endportion 5211 protruding downward from the bottom end surface of the podbase 511, and the other end portion 5212 being disposed in the internalspace of the pod 510. The sensor housing 522 is configured to surround aportion of the sensor probe 521 to support the sensor probe 521. Therubber block 523 is coupled to the sensor housing 522, such that theother end portion 5212 of the sensor probe 521 extends through therubber block 523. The elastic contact 524 is inserted into the rubberblock 523, such that the other end portion 5212 of the sensor probe 521extends through the elastic contact 524. One end portion of the elasticcontact 524 is in elastic contact with the PCB 530.

The sensor probe 521 is configured such that one end portion 5211 andthe other end portion 5212 are bent perpendicularly from each other. Thesensor housing 522 is provided with a probe passage 5221, with thesensor probe 521 being inserted into and extending through the probepassage 5221. The position of the sensor probe 521 is guided by theprobe passage 5221. A needle support 5222 protrudes upward from the topportion of the sensor housing 522, such that the needle 550 is fittedto, while extending through, the needle support 5222. The sensor housing522 is provided with a rubber receptacle 5223 on one side of the needlesupport 5222, such that the rubber block 523 is inserted into andaccommodated in the rubber receptacle 5223. A rubber fixing hook 5224and sensor fixing hooks 5225 are provided on sidewalls of the rubberreceptacle 5223. The rubber fixing hook 5224 is engaged with the rubberblock 523 to fix the rubber block 523. The sensor fixing hooks 5225cause the sensor housing 522 to be fitted into the pod 510 byengagement. A sensor housing receptacle 5111 is provided in the pod base511 of the pod 510. The sensor housing receptacle 5111 accommodates thesensor housing 522 inserted into and coupled to the sensor housingreceptacle 5111. The sensor fixing hooks 5225, provided on the rubberreceptacle 5223 of the sensor housing 522, are configured to engage withthe sensor housing receptacle 5111 of the pod base 511.

The PCB 530 is disposed above the sensor 520, and the battery 540 ismounted on the top surface of the PCB 530. In the sensor probe 521 ofthe sensor 520, one end portion 5211 is inserted into the skin, and theother end portion 5212 is coupled to, while extending through, therubber block 523 and the elastic contact 524. The elastic contact 524 isin electrical contact with the PCB 530. Thus, the sensor probe 521 iselectrically connected to the PCB 530 via the elastic contact 524.

In addition, the needle 550 has the shape of a pipe surrounding anexternal space of the sensor probe 521, and extends through the needlesupport 5222 of the sensor housing 522 in the top-bottom direction. Theneedle head 551 is provided on the top end portion of the needle 550.Here, the sensor housing 522 and the needle head 551 may be providedwith a guide recess 5226 and a guide protrusion 553 in a correspondingmanner. The guide protrusion 553 may be inserted into the guide recess5226 to guide a coupling position of the sensor housing 522 and theneedle head 551.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13 , the guide recess 5226 may beformed in the top end portion of the needle support 5222 of the sensorhousing 522, while the guide protrusion 553 may protrude from the bottomend portion of the needle head 551 to be inserted into the guide recess5226. Accordingly, the direction of the insertion of the needle head 551and sensor housing 522 of the needle 550 into the sensor housing 522 maybe guided so that the needle 550 and the sensor probe 521 may be coupledto each other while being accurately aligned.

The applicator 10 includes a main container 100, a plunger body 300, andan elastic plunger spring S1. The main container 100 has a press button110 mounted on a portion of the main container 100 to bepress-manipulated by a user. The plunger body 300 is fixedly coupled toan internal position, i.e. a first position, of the main container 100.In response to the press button 110 being manipulated, the plunger body300 is decoupled from the first position to move linearly to a secondposition in an ejecting direction. The elastic plunger spring S1 applieselastic force to the plunger body 300 so that the plunger body 300 moveslinearly from the first position to the second position. The sensormodule 20 is coupled to one end portion of the plunger body 300 to movefrom the first position to the second position, integrally with theplunger body 300.

The main container 100 may be divided into an external container 101 andan internal container 102. The press button 110 is mounted on theexternal container 101. The internal container 102 is coupled to theinterior of the external container 101 to guide the plunger body 300along a linear movement path. In addition, the external container 101may have the shape of a pipe, with a separate container cover 103 beingcoupled to the top end portion of the external container 101. Thecontainer cover 103 may be provided with anti-return hooks 104, asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , to prevent the plunger body 300 fromreturning to the first position after having moved linearly to thesecond position.

In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a separate safety lockingdevice 120 may be coupled to the external container 101 to prevent thepress button 110 from being press-manipulated. The press button 110 canbe press-manipulated after the safety locking device 120 is removed.

When a user erroneously manipulates the press button 110 by pressing itin a state in which the applicator 10 is not located in a properposition, the sensor module 20 located inside of the main container 100is triggered and ejected. The safety locking device 120 can be mountedto prevent the sensor module 20 from being erroneously ejected, therebyenabling more reliable use.

The elastic plunger spring S1 applies elastic force to the plunger body300 to move linearly from the first position to the second positionwithin the main container 100. The plunger body 300 is provided withelastic hooks 310 that are elastically deformable. When the plunger body300 is in the first position, the elastic hooks 310 may be engaged withthe internal container 102 to be fixed in position. The internalcontainer 102 is provided with fixing stepped portions 1021, with whichthe elastic hooks 310 of the plunger body 300 are engaged in the firstposition.

When the press button 110 of the external container 101 ispress-manipulated inwardly as illustrated in FIG. 5 , internal pressingprotrusions 111 of the press button 110 press the elastic hooks 310 ofthe plunger body 300. This disengages the elastic hooks 310 from theinternal container 102, so that the plunger body 300 is moved linearlyto the second position by the elastic force of the elastic plungerspring S1. Here, as described above, it is not possible topress-manipulate the press button 110 unless the safety locking device120 is removed.

In addition, the plunger body 300 may be provided with stopperprotrusions 320 to limit a range of movement to the second position. Inresponse to the movement of the plunger body 300 to the second position,the stopper protrusions 320 can limit the movement of the plunger body300 by engaging with a portion of the internal container 102. That is,the range of movement of the plunger body 300 is limited to the secondposition by the stopper protrusions 320. The plunger body 300 is notejected from the main container 100 beyond this range of movement.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , buffer members 1022 may be coupled toportions of the internal container 102, with which the stopperprotrusions 320 of the plunger body 300 engage. The buffer members 1022can absorb impacts occurring when the moving plunger body 300 engageswith the internal container 102. The buffer members 1022 can minimizenoise caused by the engagement of the moving plunger body 300 during theoperation of the applicator and minimize reaction due to the collisionof the plunger body 300. Accordingly, it is possible to accuratelyinsert the sensor probe 521 into the body.

In addition, a sensor receptacle 301 is provided on one end portion ofthe plunger body 300. The sensor receptacle 301 accommodates the sensormodule 20 inserted into the sensor receptacle 301. The sensor module 20is inserted into and accommodated in the sensor receptacle 301, andmoves linearly from the first position to the second position along withthe plunger body 300. Due to the linear movement to the second position,the sensor probe 521 and the needle 550 of the sensor module 20 areinserted into the body.

Here, sensor fixing hooks 330 are mounted on peripheral portions of thesensor receptacle 301. The sensor fixing hooks 330 can engage with thesensor module 20, inserted into the sensor receptacle 301, to fix thesensor module 20. The sensor fixing hooks 330 are coupled to the sensormodule 20 such that each of the fixing hooks 330 is rotatable about arotary shaft 331. When the plunger body 300 is in the first position,the sensor fixing hooks 330 is pressed inwardly by the internalcontainer 102 to engage with the sensor module 20. When the plunger body300 is in the second position, the sensor fixing hooks 330 are releasedfrom the pressed state, thereby disengaging from the sensor module 20.In this regard, the internal container 102 is provided with a hook guide140, which will be described in more detail later.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 14 , the external container 101 isprovided with a button guide opening 1012 into which the press button110 is inserted. The button guide opening 1012 allows the inserted pressbutton 110 to move when pressed. The pressing protrusions 111 areprovided on the inner surface of the press button 110. In response tothe pressed movement of the press button 110 in the button guide opening1012 (or as the press button 110 in the button guide opening 1012 moveswhen pressed), the pressing protrusions 111 can press the elastic hooks310 of the plunger body 300. The press button 110 is coupled to one endportion of the external container 101 via hinge rods 1112, such thatpress button 110 can pivot in a predetermined range. The press button110 is configured to move by pivoting when pressed. A separate elasticmember 1013 may be provided in the button guide opening 1012 to enablean elastic return function in response to the press button 110 beingpress-manipulated.

The safety locking device 120 able to prevent the press-manipulationperformed to the press button 110 is coupled to the external container101. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the safety locking device 120is slid into the button guide opening 1012 in a direction perpendicularto the depth direction of the button guide opening 1012 to prevent thepressed movement of the press button 110. Slide holes 1014 are providedin one portion of the external container 101, such that the safetylocking device 120 is slid into the button guide opening 1012 throughthe slide holes 1014.

The safety locking device 120 includes anti-pressing rods 121 and anouter support 122. The anti-pressing rods 121 are configured to beinserted into and withdrawn from the button guide opening 1012 bysliding. The outer support 122 extends from one end of each of theanti-pressing rods 121, and is configured to surround an outercircumferential portion of the external container 101 in a state inwhich the anti-pressing rods 121 are inserted into the button guideopening 1012. When the anti-pressing rods 121 are inserted into thebutton guide opening 1012, the anti-pressing rods 121 are disposed toextend through the button guide opening 1012 in a directionperpendicular to the depth direction of the button guide opening 1012.Accordingly, the pressed movement of the press button 110 in the depthdirection of the button guide opening 1012 is restrained.

Gripping protrusions 123 may protrude outward from the outer support 122of the safety locking device 120, such that the user can hold thegripping protrusions 123 with a hand when the user intends to slide andwithdraw the safety locking device 120. A guide protrusion 124 mayprotrude from a side surface portion of the outer support 122. Duringsliding insertion, the guide protrusion 124 may be fitted into, whileextending through, the external container 101 to accurately guide thesafety locking device 120 to the insertion position.

In addition, the safety locking device 120 may be configured so as notto be decoupled from the main container 100 unless the protective cap200 is decoupled from the main container 100. This is because, if thesafety locking device 120 is decoupled and the press button 110 ispressed in a state in which the protective cap 200 is not detached, thesensor probe 521 may be damaged through collision with the protectivecap 200.

Accordingly, an engagement extension 125 may be provided on the outersupport 122 of the safety locking device 120 to extend perpendicularlyto the direction in which the anti-pressing rods 121 are slid.Accordingly, as the protective cap 200 is coupled to the externalcontainer 101 in a state in which the outer support 122 is coupled tothe external container 101 while surrounding an outer surface portion ofthe external container 101, the engagement extension 125 may engage withthe protective cap 200.

According to this structure, as illustrated in FIG. 16 a , in a state inwhich the safety locking device 120 is slid into the external container101, if the protective cap 200 is not detached and removed, theengagement extension 125 of the safety locking device 120 cannot remainengaged with the top end portion of the protective cap 200, so that thesafety locking device 120 cannot be removed from the external container101. As illustrated in FIG. 16 b , if the protective cap 200 is detachedand removed, the engagement extension 125 of the safety locking device120 is disengaged. Accordingly, it is possible to slide and withdraw thesafety locking device 120 from the external container 101, so that thesafety locking device 120 is removed.

In addition, the applicator 10 is configured such that, in the firstposition in which the sensor module 20 is preinstalled therein, thesensor module 20 remains fixedly coupled to the sensor module 20, and inthe second position in which the sensor module 20 is ejected, the sensormodule 20 is decoupled from the sensor module 20.

As described above, the sensor fixing hooks 330 are mounted on thecircumferential portions of the sensor receptacle 301 of the plungerbody 300, as illustrated in FIG. 17 . The sensor fixing hooks 330 canengage with the sensor module 20, inserted into the sensor receptacle301, to be fixedly coupled to the sensor module 20. Each of the coupledsensor fixing hooks 330 is rotatable about the rotary shaft 331. Whenthe plunger body 300 is in the first position, the sensor fixing hooks330 are pressed inwardly by the internal container 102 to be engagedwith the sensor module 20. When the plunger body 300 is in the secondposition, the sensor fixing hooks 330 are released from the pressedstate, thereby being disengaged from the sensor module 20. In thisregard, the hook guide 140 is provided on the internal container 102.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , each of the sensor fixing hooks 330 mayinclude a pivot body 3301 on which the rotary shaft 331 is provided anda hook protrusion 3302 protruding from the bottom end portion of thepivot body 3301 to engage with the sensor module 20. The plunger body300 has rotary shaft coupling recesses 302 to which the rotary shafts331 of the sensor fixing hooks 330 are coupled. In addition, engagementrecesses 5112 conforming to the sensor fixing hooks 330 are formed inboth end portions of the pod base 511 of the sensor module 20 to engagewith the hook protrusions 3302 of the sensor fixing hooks 330 in a statein which sensor module 20 is inserted into the sensor receptacle 301.

The hook guide 140 protrudes inward from the inner surface of theinternal container 102 in the top-bottom direction. The inner surface ofthe hook guide 140 is comprised of a protruding surface 141 and aconcave surface 142. The protruding surface 141 presses the sensorfixing hooks 330, while the concave surface 142 releases the sensorfixing hooks 330 from the pressed state. The concave surface 142 isconfigured to release the sensor fixing hooks 330 from the pressed statewhen the sensor fixing hooks 330 have moved to the second positiontogether with the plunger body 300. That is, the protruding surface 141protrudes relatively inward to press the sensor fixing hooks 330 duringthe movement along a path between the first position and directly beforethe second position. Since the concave surface 142 is relativelyconcave, the concave surface 142 releases the sensor fixing hooks 330from the pressed state when the plunger body 300 is in the secondposition.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 18 a , when the plunger body 300 isin the first position, the sensor fixing hooks 330 are pressed inwardlyby the protruding surface 141 of the hook guide 140 to engage with thesensor module 20 accommodated in the sensor receptacle 301. Asillustrated in FIG. 18 b , when the plunger body 300 is moved linearlyto the second position, the concave surface 142 of the hook guide 140releases the sensor fixing hooks 330 from the pressed state, so that thesensor fixing hooks 330 can pivot about the rotary shaft 331 todisengage from the sensor module 20. In this situation, i.e. in asituation in which the plunger body 300 has moved to the second positiontogether with the sensor module 20, the sensor module 20 is attached tothe skin by the adhesive tape 560. In this state, when the applicator 10is detached away from the human body, the sensor fixing hooks 330 aredisengaged from the sensor module 20, so that the applicator 10 isdetached from the human body, and the sensor module 20 remains attachedto the human body.

In addition, according to the disclosure, the applicator 10 and thesensor module 20 are fabricated, with the sensor module 20 beingpreinstalled in the applicator 10. Accordingly, as described above,reuse, i.e. inserting another sensor module 20 into the applicator 10,is prevented.

In this regard, an anti-return means for preventing the plunger body 300from returning to the first position after having moved to the secondposition is provided in the main container 100.

The anti-return means may include the anti-return hooks 104 elasticallysupported in a direction, in which the outer surface of the plunger body300 is pressed, to engage with the top end portion of the plunger body300 when the downward movement of the plunger body 300 from the firstposition to the second position is completed, as illustrated in FIGS. 19a and 19 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 20 , each of the anti-return hooks 104 mayinclude an elastic body 1041 formed of an elastic material and a hookportion 1042. The elastic body 1041 extends downward from the inner topportion of the main container 100. The hook portion 1042 protrudes fromthe bottom end portion of the elastic body 1041. The elastic body 1041may be formed integrally with the bottom surface of the container cover103 coupled to the top end portion of the external container 101 of themain container 100. In addition, the elastic body 1041 may have anelastically offset structure, i.e. the elastic body 1041 may be inclinedtoward the center axis in the direction of the bottom end, such that thehook portion 1042 can elastically press an outer surface portion of theplunger body 300.

When the plunger body 300 is in the first position, the hook portions1042 elastically press outer surface portions of the plunger body 300due to the elastic force of the elastic bodies 1041. When the plungerbody 300 is in the second position, the hook portions 1042 areelastically moved toward the center axis by the elastic force of theelastic body 1041 to engage with the top end portion of the plunger body300.

Here, a stopper 1043 is provided on the bottom end portion of each ofthe elastic bodies 1041. When the plunger body 300 is in the secondposition, the stoppers 1043 may be elastically moved by the elasticforce of the elastic bodies 1041 to come into contact with outer surfaceportions of the plunger body 300, thereby limiting the distance of theelastic movement of the elastic bodies 1041.

According to the stoppers 1043 configured as above, in the process inwhich the elastic bodies 1041 elastically move toward the center in thesecond position of the plunger body 300, the movement of the stoppers1043 is restrained through contact with the outer surface portions ofthe plunger body 300. In this position, the hook portions 1042 engagewith the top end portion of the plunger body 300. That is, the stoppers1043 can limit excessive elastic movement of the elastic bodies 1041,thereby guide accurate engagement between the hook portions 1042 and theplunger body 300. In addition, even in the case in which the elastickinetic force of the elastic bodies 1041 is significantly increased, themovement of the elastic bodies 1041 is restrained in a proper position.Accordingly, the elastic bodies 1041 can move more rapidly due to theincreased elastic movement speed thereof, and thus, the anti-returnoperation can be performed reliably.

In addition, the applicator 10 is configured to withdraw and remove theneedle 550 of the sensor module 20 from the body at the moment that theejection movement of the sensor module 20 from the first position to thesecond position is completed. In this regard, the applicator 10 mayinclude a needle withdrawing means N for withdrawing and removing theneedle 550 from the body by moving the needle 550 upwardly at the momentthat the movement of the plunger body 300 from the first position to thesecond position is completed.

The needle withdrawing means N may further include a needle withdrawingbody 400 and a needle withdrawing elastic spring S2. The needlewithdrawing body 400 is coupled to the needle head 551 of the needle 550and engaged with the plunger body 300 to move linearly from the firstposition to the second position along with the plunger body 300 withinthe internal container 102. The needle withdrawing elastic spring S2applies elastic force to the needle withdrawing body 400 in a directionin which the needle withdrawing body 400 moves upwardly toward the firstposition.

The needle withdrawing body 400 is engaged with the plunger body 300. Inthis regard, the needle withdrawing body 400 has separate elastic hooks410 that are elastically deformable. The elastic hooks 410 areelastically offset in a direction of engagement with a hook engagingportion 340 of the plunger body 300. Accordingly, when the plunger body300 moves linearly from the first position to the second position inresponse to the press button 110 being manipulated, the needlewithdrawing body 400 also moves linearly to the second position togetherwith the plunger body 300.

Here, the internal container 102 is provided with a needle withdrawingpressing portion 130. In response to the movement of the needlewithdrawing body 400 to the second position, the needle withdrawingpressing portion 130 presses the elastic hooks 410 inwardly so that theelastic hooks 410 are disengaged from the hook engaging portion 340 ofthe plunger body 300.

According to this structure, when the press button 110 ispress-manipulated, the needle withdrawing body 400 moves from the firstposition to the second position together with the plunger body 300. Atthe same time, the elastic hooks 410 of the needle withdrawing body 400is pressed by the needle withdrawing pressing portion 130 of theinternal container 102 to be disengaged from the hook engaging portion340. Then, due to the elastic force of the withdrawing elastic springS2, the needle withdrawing body 400 returns upwardly to the firstposition.

Here, the needle withdrawing body 400 is coupled to the needle head 551of the needle 550 via a needle head coupling portion 420 provided on oneend portion thereof. During the upward return movement of the needlewithdrawing body 400, the needle 550 moves along with the needlewithdrawing body 400 to be withdrawn and removed from the body. Theneedle head coupling portion 420 is provided on the bottom end portionof the needle withdrawing body 400 to engage with the coupling recess552 of the needle head 551.

The needle withdrawing body 400 can be moved upwardly to the top endportion of the inner surface of the main container 100 by the elasticforce of the withdrawing elastic spring S2, instead of being movedupwardly to the first position. In this case, the needle withdrawingbody 400, driven by the elastic force, may create impacts whilecolliding with the top end portion of the inner surface of the maincontainer 100. To reduce such impacts, a buffer member 1031 may beprovided on the top end portion of the inner surface of the maincontainer 100. Since the buffer member 1031 can minimize noise, users'worries about the operation of the device may be eliminated. The buffermember 1031 may be coupled to the container cover 103 provided in thetop end portion of the main container 100.

In addition, in response to the movement of the plunger body 300 to thesecond position by the elastic force of the elastic plunger spring S1,the sensor probe 521 and the needle 550 of the sensor module 20 areinserted into the human body. During the insertion of the needle 550into the human body, resistance to the insertion may generate reactionforce, by which the needle 550 may be moved backwardly in the directionopposite to the direction in which the needle 550 is inserted into thehuman body. In this case, since the sensor probe 521 may not be insertedinto the body to a proper depth, it may be preferred that the backwardmovement of the needle 550 is prevented. In this regard, a needlesupport block 430 may be coupled to the needle withdrawing body 400. Theneedle support block 430 may support the top end portion of the needle550 so that the needle 550 does not move upwardly with respect to theneedle withdrawing body 400.

Next, the use of the above-described sensor applicator assembly will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24 .

FIGS. 21 to 24 are views sequentially illustrating the use of the sensorapplicator assembly for a continuous glucose monitoring system accordingto embodiments of the disclosure, in a stepwise manner.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 21 , the protective cap 200 of theapplicator 10 is detached. In the process in which the protective cap200 is detached, the release paper 561 of the adhesive tape 560 of thesensor module 20 is detached together with the protective cap 200,thereby being removed from the adhesive tape 560. Afterwards, the sensorapplicator assembly is located on a portion of the body, to which thesensor module 20 is to be attached. In this state, the safety lockingdevice 120 is removed from the sensor applicator assembly.

When the press button 110 is press-manipulated in a state in which thesafety locking device 120 is removed, the plunger body 300 is moveddownwardly in an ejecting direction by the elastic plunger spring S1, asillustrated in FIGS. 22 a and 22 b . In this process, the needle 550 andthe sensor probe 521 of the sensor module 20 are inserted into the bodyE. Here, the sensor module 20 is bonded to the surface of the body E viathe adhesive tape 560. When the plunger body 300 is moved in theejecting direction, the plunger body 300 cannot move upwardly again,engaged by the anti-return hooks 104 of the external container 101.Accordingly, after the applicator 10 is used once, the applicator 10cannot be reused.

When the plunger body 300 is moved downwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 22a , the sensor fixing hooks 330 of the sensor receptacle 301 arereleased from the pressed state by the concave surface 142 of the hookguide 140, thereby being disengaged from the sensor module 20. Inaddition, the elastic hooks 410 of the needle withdrawing body 400 arepressed inwardly by the needle withdrawing pressing portion 130 of theinternal container 102, thereby being disengaged from the plunger body300.

Accordingly, when the plunger body 300 is moved downwardly, the needlewithdrawing body 400 is simultaneously returned upwardly by thewithdrawing elastic spring S2, as illustrated in FIG. 23 . Here, theneedle 550 is moved upwardly along with the needle withdrawing body 400,so that the needle 550 is withdrawn and removed from the body E.

In this state, the sensor fixing hooks 330 is disengaged from the sensormodule 20 as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 24 , the applicator10 can be detached and removed upwardly. When the applicator 10 isdetached and removed in this manner, only the sensor module 20 remainsattached to the body E. Afterwards, the transmitter 30 is coupled to thesensor module 20 so as to be connected to the connector terminal 513,and the transmitter 30 transmits a glucose measurement result, obtainedby the sensor module 20, to the user terminal.

The foregoing descriptions have been presented in order to explaincertain principles of the present disclosure by way of example. A personskilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates could makevarious modifications and variations without departing from theessential features of the present disclosure. The foregoing embodimentsdisclosed herein shall be interpreted as being illustrative, while notbeing limitative, of the principle and scope of the present disclosure.It should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure shallbe defined by the appended Claims and all of their equivalents fallwithin the scope of the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sensor applicator assembly for a glucosemonitoring system, the sensor applicator assembly being assembled as asingle unitary product in which a sensor module periodically measuring ablood glucose level is preinstalled in an applicator, such that thesensor module is ejected by an operation of the applicator to beattached to a human body, wherein a separate protective cap isdetachably coupled to the applicator to block the sensor module,preinstalled in the applicator, from being exposed externally, andadhesive tape and a release paper are attached to a body contact surfaceof the sensor module to enable the sensor module to be attached to thehuman body, the release paper of the adhesive tape being detached andremoved from the adhesive tape together with the protective cap whilethe protective cap is being detached from the applicator, wherein theprotective cap includes: an outer cover coupled to one end portion ofthe applicator and surrounding an outer circumferential surface of theapplicator; an extension extending from one end of the outer cover in adirection of an inner center of the applicator; and an inner supportextending upward from one end of the extension to support the bodycontact surface of the sensor module inserted in an inside of theapplicator, wherein the adhesive tape and the release paper are disposedbetween the body contact surface of the sensor module and a top surfaceof the inner support, and wherein the release paper is attached to thetop surface of the inner support by an adhesive tape adhered to the topsurface of the inner support.
 2. The sensor applicator assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the protective cap is provided with alocking member to prevent the protective cap, coupled to the applicator,from being detached from the applicator, the locking member beingconfigured to be locked or unlocked by a user's manipulation.
 3. Thesensor applicator assembly according to claim 2, wherein the applicatoris provided with a locking catch recess, and the locking memberincludes: a locking lever pivotably coupled to one side of theprotective cap; and a locking catch protrusion provided on one end ofthe locking lever to be inserted into and engaged with the locking catchrecess, wherein the locking lever is elastically supported in adirection in which the locking catch protrusion is inserted into andengaged with the locking catch recess.